Report – Chevrolet Bolt US rollout getting limited… initially

The latest reports on the evolution of the first long range mass-market affordable electric car – the Chevrolet Bolt – are indicating General Motors is short-circuiting the expected nationwide release.

Everyone was expecting the Chevrolet Bolt – which recently entered production – would roll out across all dealerships in the United States before the year ends. That would have put it in a pole position ahead of the upcoming competitor’s Tesla Model 3 launch expected next year. But as it turns out the finalist of the 2017 North American Car of the Year will only become available first in California and Oregon. The rest will get it during 2017 in what is described as a “slow flow” roll out – talking to The Wall Street Journal, General Motors spokeswoman Michelle Malcho mentioned “limited quantities” will become available next year in other states as the company wants “getting the cars ready for customers… and doing it the right way.”

The model costs $37,495 and can go as low as $29,995 after tax rebates, and started production at GM’s Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan with plans for 20,000 to 30,000 units annually. It has a bespoke platform and has been certified by the EPA 238 miles (383 kilometers) of range in the combined cycle making use of a large 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This is troubling for the automaker and the green market overall and we’re hoping this is not a case of GM EV-1 all over again.